By David Torough, Abuja

Stakeholders have called for the unity of purpose among Tiv sons and daughters to attract peace and development in Tiv land particularly and Benue state at large.

They made the call over the weekend at this year’s annual general meeting and reception for appointed and elected Tiv sons and daughters at the national level organized by Ontiv Professionals Association (OPA) in Abuja.

In their separate remarks, former Nigeria Ambassador to Mexico and Canada, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher commended the association for their various interventions and leadership role in Tiv land.

Hagher said that Tiv was bless and pleaded with leaders at various levels to unite and promote development in Benue.

He stated that “languages is power” and as the fourth ethnic group in the country, there was need for educational system to be strengthened and urged the association to give their support so as to help build the capacity of Young people.

President General, Mdzough U Tiv, Iorbee Ihaghar said he was excited for the opportunity God has given to Tiv sons and daughters and called on them to be united to attract development to the state.

Ihaghar, a retired Controller of Prisons (CP), who decried the level of under development at the local government level in the state, called on the association to always intervene where necessary within their capacity adding, that the Tiv traditional council and Mdzough U Tiv held the association with pride.

He urged Tiv people to respect constituted authorities even as he called on leaders to shun corruption and create job opportunities for the youths.

In a goodwill message, Publisher, DAILY ASSET Dr. Cletus Akwaya who acknowledged that providing infrastructure requires huge amount of money and a collective effort, called for prudent utilization of government resources and a public-private partnership to develop the state.

Guest speaker at the occasion and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Plateau state, Dr. Oliver Agundu identified lack of basic infrastructure and as well as lack of opportunities as causes of poverty in Benue and the society at large and called for concerted effort to reduce the suffering in the society.

President, OPA, Abraham Aku in his welcome address stated that it was the desire of the association to bring together, all the elected and appointed Tiv sons and daughters to identify and honour them with a view to fashion out ways on how they would bring ideas that would be beneficial to the people at the grass roots.

He said the association has always lend its  voice  against matters adversely affecting the Tiv people including; introduction of the RUGA settlement idea through a world press release, supported publicity, the Anti-open Grazing Law which was passed by the Benue state government supporting ranching as the best global practice amongst others.

He added that the association looks forward to engaging the government of Governor Hyacinths Alia with the professional inputs on the development of the state.